October 26th - Little miracle, keep on praying!

Hello family!

I can't believe the Lavulo's are home already. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was at their home home teaching them. I enjoyed listening to the talks you sent, send them my love.  Alton sounds very different. My mission rules are different from Sister Alapa's. We can use ipods for music but we definitely can't watch disney movies for any reason unless by approval. Lucky them! haha. And that story about Keenan hahaha! Man that reminds me of when we were looking for Alton back in our youth. How sad. The typhoon had no effect on us to answer your question. 

Well this week has been one of the best in terms of effort and results. We've been working like there's no tomorrow and the results come. We were able to accomplish goals this week. We also have a baptism coming up this Saturday! This will be the first one in our proselyting area in almost 16 months. I also was chosen this past Saturday to baptize my zone leaders investigator. It's been a long time since I've been dressed in white and it felt really good to be in the water. But it was even better to see someone willing to follow the Savior and know that we have His authority on the earth. 

This week's mission challenge was 20 Recent Convert and Less-Active lessons. We set a goal to get it and we got 23 despite losing Saturday. We went out to Kenny Village, our furthest area I think, a mountain, and other far areas, and found quite a few inactives. When we finished our RCLA search in KV it was dark and needed to get back to sentro. We needed a tricey or we would have to walk for about an hour or 2. About 20 minutes in we waved down about 5 triceys that weren't full and also could take us to our destination but wouldn't stop for us. We continued our walk and I remembered a video from PMG about an investigator who was trying to catch a bus with his mom and none of the buses would stop. His mom suggested that he should pray and he did so and it worked. So I was thinking in my head if that would work for two elders who have traveled so far, rejected by inactives, and wanted nothing more than to share the good word. I said a little prayer in my head and asked that if it be His will, could you provide us with a ride home so we can continue your work. Next thing you know, triceys stop for us in a matter of only 10 seconds. After 5 rejections we got two triceys who were willing to give us a ride. God hears and answers our prayers. I've also been trying to look at almost all the small things and how the Lord played a part in it. It's very amazing.

Keep on praying people and he will keep on listening. "Never forget that a loving God is as close as a prayer."

Love

Elder Brown

Zone activity day

October 20th - Teaching English

Question. Why does your subject say "sons"? haha. You only got one on the mission mom haha. Sorry I wasn't able to email yesterday. My computer was having problems and my time ran out. I got permission to email today. That's awesome that The Jets are gonna be in the Philippines. I remember in my first area in Oas I would here their songs everywhere. As to the ward I'm going to be attending, I got no idea. Probably the home ward cause I'll be leaving in 3 months to BYU to a YSA ward.

Your questions:
1- Yup

2-Conference is always the bomb. I loved it.

3-Yeah he looked like he was gonna go down soon haha

4-Yeah your talk was on point mom no worries 

5-I have read more in this one year than I have in my whole 19 years of life. I am excited to go home and read a bunch of gospel books.

As for my health I'm doing just fine. I've gained 3 pounds thanks to all the food we get fed here. This past week was good. We have a set baptism on halloween day. We are looking forward to it. It's been a long time since I've witnessed a baptism. I've often reflected about this past year and realized that it has been the best year. I have gained a lot more than I have given up and given to the Lord. One thing President Guanzon shared at our trainers training is that some people will stay home and not go on a mission at all because they believe that's the best way to support their family. That is nothing but a lie and somewhat of an excuse to me to not serve a mission. President then went on to share that a mission will bless our families more than us being in their physical presence. Why? Because we are devoting everything we have to God and also because of D&C 100. Serving God through our missionary efforts is the most important duty after all that has been said. I am grateful that that was a priority I set when I was younger and that I had been born of goodly parents who have raised me in a gospel centered home.

Life is great and I do not wish to return to my nightmares of being home and talking with the people that I don't really miss but that I know and love.

Oh btw, I taught english and writing class for a YSA activity and youth.

Love,

Elder Brown

Fun side note we met two white guys one from LA and one from Indiana and they were very cool. It felt weird talking to non-missionary Americans.

 I taught English to YSA and youth

 We killed a snake

October 12th - Nightmare

Hello sa inyong lahat!

Always good to hear that you all had a great week and it's always bad to hear that utah had success :( hahaha

This week has been really good and we have had a lot of success. We've set high goals for our work that we are doing. We did a lot of finding and extended quite a few baptismal dates. A lot of our investigators still need more time before they accept anything. We worked very hard this week and had the best week in the three we've been together. Our proselyting area hasn't had a baptism in over a year and a couple months. A lot of baptisms here have become less-active. We're not only determined to have baptisms but to help them experience lasting conversion. We're almost there :)  I can't believe that I'll be home in less than a year. As my year mark approaches I still can't believe how fast it has been. I don't wanna go home. I've had a lot of dreams where I've arrived at the airport or I'm at home and just having chill time and talking with all of you. It feels so real I call it a nightmare. Thank goodness missions are 2 years.

Conference was great for me. Just one thing I wanna share from what one of the many things I loved was when Elder Gary E. Stevenson said that the Lord will qualify those whom he calls to the work. That meant to me that my inadequacies place me in the center of the potter's plate thingy and I am ready to be molded by the Master. I also enjoyed Elder Holland's talk about a mother's love and the atonement. To you mom, I just wanna say thank you. A big thank you and a big I love you. 

I also love you all too.

Love, 

Elder Brown

PS

Christmas has started here. Getting very christmasy around here.

Sept 28th - God is mindful (Alma 26:37)

Hello family!

I am training a short-term missionary from Legazpi. He's only 45 minutes away from home haha. His name is Elder Dorosan. We had a pretty good week this week despite the days we lost due to training meetings. It was cool to see all the new missionaries come in. Especially the foreigners because I am one myself. I can't believe that that was me. It felt good to be on the other side.

This past week we had one of the best lessons I've ever been apart of because the spirit was so strong. We are teaching this young 11 year old girl who living through a trial no 11 year old should ever have to go through. The night we taught her she was very down and had nothing to share with us as to why. The lesson plan took a change and we taught a person and not a lesson. After the opening prayer she was in tears, during the lesson, and while she closed the lesson in prayer. She expressed her gratitude and asked for a blessing upon members of her family. And yes. I only got a little teary eyed. It was a great testimony builder for all there. Definitely a moment I will never forget. 

As I thought about what we should do my mind was impressed and the impression came to share Alma 26:37. The highlight in that verse that she liked was that God is mindful of all in whatsoever land they may be in and that His mercy is over all. We felt impressed that she needed to know that even though she's an 11 year old who's very quiet and kinda shy, God is mindful of her and her situation. God can hear the thoughts of one that does not express vocally. The Lord God suffered for all and suffered below them all. He knows every bit of pain and sorrow and that has ever and will ever be experienced. He knows you better than you even know yourself. Who better to be the one to succor the children of men than the Savior himself? 

I encourage you all to come unto Christ and become reconciled unto him through his Atonement. His enabling powers are there for all those who will follow him. I love and miss you all and hope life is treating you well.

Love,

Elder Brown